NEWS ROUND-UP -- WEDNESDAY MORNING 15 AUGUST

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

| 

FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter  

|

by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

|

ATTORNEY REACTS TO SCHOOL BOARD SPECIAL ELECTION DEMAND

First, check out Tuesday's exclusive coverage of this story: Crowded Field to Seek 3 Seats on Covington School Board 

|

Brandon Voleker, the attorney representing Mark Young in his quest to put a special election on November's ballot to fill the vacant seat on the Covington School Board, had this to say about the events:

Mr. Young has retained me to have the Clerk accept his nominating petition for the unexpired term of Denise Varney, who resigned August 2, 2012, mandating a special election this year. I have called County Attorney Garry Edmondson and advised of the clerk's refusal to accept the petition, but Mr. Young did file nonetheless, leaving his petition and filing fee with the clerk. I am unsure why Covington did not advise of the special election for the unexpired term, other than to not allow the electorate to have a vote.

School Board candidate Everett Dameron, who is running in the regularly scheduled election for one of three open seats, also weighed in with a similar charge that the district misled the public:

This entire matter that Mr. Young has brought up is very interesting. I made an inquiry about a special election for the seat vacated by Mrs.Varney by phone to the Kentucky Department of Education legal department and in person at the Kenton County Clerk's office on Thursday August 9th and I was told by both that there would not be a special election. At the school board meeting held that evening, in response to a question regarding the vacant seat by a member of the public (Superintendent) Mrs. (Lynda) Jackson said that the position would be filled by appointment by the Commissioner of Education and there would be a legal ad in the paper on the next day. That ad was run as stated in the Kentucky Enquirer, giving notice that the appointment would be made by the Commissioner of Education and that applications would be accepted until August 24, 2012. Thus I and others were misinformed and denied the opportunity to file for the special election for the vacant seat.

A request for comment from the Covington School Board's attorney, Mary Ann Stewart, has been made.
|
CURRENT COMMISSIONER IN ONLINE SCUFFLE WITH FORMER COMMISSIONER
One of the most entertaining websites in all the land is the Facebook page of Covington City Commissioner Steve Frank who enjoys a lengthy comment thread from time to time. Over the weekend, Frank stirred up some heated debate by posting a photo of the fire department's response to a small fire in Wallace Woods. "8 pieces of apparatus, big emergency?," Frank wrote as the caption. Then Covington firefighters and Commissioner Frank engaged in another one of their online back-and-forths, but things took a fresher turn when Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders, a former Covington City Commissioner, weighed in:

Before making judgements about the response, you have to know how the call was dispatched. What it turned out to be is really beside the point. If it was dispatched as a house fire, you need that many trucks to get enough firefighters to the scene since Cov only staffs 1-3 firefighters per truck. Did it turn out to be overkill? Maybe, but the dispatchers control it, not the firefighters. The expenses are in the trucks, which are already purchased, and the firefighters, who are paid by the hour, not per run. Argue budgets all you want but give CFD some credit for being professionals. They were still protecting the rest of the city. I'm sure if another emergency arose all but one truck would leave this call and go to the next. Do we really need them to hurry back to the station to wait for the next call?! If they did that everyone would just complain that they don't do any work and spend all day in the recliners.

Now, the thread continues, four days after it originally started. Frank charged at Sanders:

Rob, we are simply talking past one another. If you had done your job properly while on city Commission, we wouldn't be facing the problems we have. Now the adults have to clean up the mess. Frankly, I do learn by asking pointed questions.Sometimes I even change my mind. Right now, what i am gathering from this and other interactions is that one department in the City can't handle any criticism and resists rather than embraces any change. Well i can tell you that its not just me. Right now its 5-0 for change on the commission.

Sanders replied:

So now you resort to insulting my service on Commission. Not surprised. I'm not the least bit ashamed of my service. Did we fix the whole city? Obviously not. I served one term. How many have you served? Is the city fixed yet?! Obviously not. I guess you're just as big of a failure as I was. So much for "the adults cleaning up the mess."

You can read the whole thread by clicking here.
|
DON'T MISS TUESDAY EVENING'S NEWS!
"Until this final word on the bridge redesign, no one we've been talking to would commit to Covington." City officials react to Brent Spence bridge changes; Plus, KY legislators want creationism taught alongside evolution in public schools. Those stories and more at the link!

The RC News: Tuesday Evening Round-Up 

|

ANYBODY UP FOR THIS JOB?

Window washers spotted Tuesday at the RiverCenter Towers.
|
QUICKIES
|
Missing Kentucky woman possibly found buried in backyard freezer NY Daily News 
|
Horseshoe Casino in Cincinnati to start hiring WKRC 
|
Sen. Rand Paul introduces amendment to abolish the TSA press release 
|
Sen. Rand Paul believes the government is preparing for civil unrest LEO Weekly 
|
State officials teach proper treatment of HIV/AIDS WKYT 
|
Kentucky firefighters on way to Idaho to help WKYT 
|
NKU grad students help at-risk teens NKU 
|
Richmond City Council hears from others on its proposed fairness ordinance Herald-Leader 
|
Anti-bullying program begins in Harlan Schools WKYT 
|
Pat Barry returns to WLWT, at least temporarily Cincinnati Enquirer 
|
LEXINGTON BOY WITH RARE AGING DISEASE TO START KINDERGARTEN
A 5-year old in Lexington afflicted by the rare rapid-aging disease progeria is slated to start school:

When Zach removes his hat, one student looks at him, puzzled. "What is that on his head?" he asks, looking at the prominent network of veins. But since heads vary on most people anyway, he quickly forgets the matter and runs off to play. The first weeks of school, Martin said, will include lessons on how each student is special.

Full story with photos and video at the link: Herald-Leader 
|
WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL KENTON COUNTY STUDENTS!
A special welcome back to the kids at Taylor Mill Elementary, Woodland Middle School, and Scott High School who are all back in the classroom today.
|
AND IT LOOKS LIKE THESE KIDS WILL HAVE A PRETTY GOOD LUNCH:
Via WKRC:

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/08/14/2299020/lexington-child-with-rare-aging.html#storylink=rss?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#storylink=cp

|
COVINGTON INDEPENDENT RETURNS TO SCHOOL NEXT WEDNESDAY...
Via CIPS Facebook page:

The first day of school for Covington Independent Public Schools is Wednesday, August 22. For school supply lists, dress codes, school lunch menus, transportation schedules and forms for transportation and lunch, click here.

|
MEET THE TEACHERS TONIGHT AT SIXTH DISTRICT & LATONIA
According to the Sixth District Facebook page the event is from 4:30PM - 6:30PM:

Come by and sign up for our school's wonderfully active PTA, register your child for the district's after-school Fitness Rocks program, and then visit with your child's teacher in their classroom. We're inviting students with last names A-M from 4:30pm-5:30pm, and students with last names N-Z from 5:30pm-6:30pm. However, if those times are not convenient for you, then you may come anytime between 4:30pm and 6:30pm.

The CIPS website also indicates that Latonia Elementary's open house is today, also from 4:30PM - 6:30PM.
|
SEE ALSO: Kentucky spending little to none on textbooks WLEX 
|
TWO SURVEYS FOR FOLKS IN LATONIA
First, the West Latonia Neighborhood Association:

It has been 5 years since the West Latonia Neighborhood Association (WLNA) was established and at that time attendees to the meetings were asked to complete two (2) questionnaires describing what they felt were 1) Issues and/or Problems in the neighborhood; and 2) list Goals or Positive Ideas/Items for or about the neighborhood. This was done to help guide the initial activities of the association in order to be effective and represent the concerns of the residents. At this 5-year point, we felt that it would be appropriate to ask our neighbors to complete this process again to make sure that we were proceeding the way that West Latonia residents felt would best serve their needs and interests.
The Executive Committee of the West Latonia Neighborhood Association would appreciate it if you would consider taking a few minutes to either complete this process for the first time or repeat it if you were among those who helped us get started 5 years ago. Some additional questions are asked in this survey in order that we may try to be more purposeful in our efforts.

For the survey, click here.
|
The Latonia Business Association also has some questions:

Please complete this survey to help us know your favorite places in Latonia! The top winner in each of the three categories will receive a prize. The survey will be open through September 7. Winners will be chosen after the close of the survey and announced at the September 19th Latonia Business Association meeting.

For that survey, click here.
|
ENJOYING THE FALL-LIKE WEATHER? WHAT SHOULD YOU WEAR?
With autumn mercifully approaching, let's check in with Jerod Theobald, owner of flow - a shop for men on Scott Boulevard, to see what's hot as the temperatures cool:

Bright and bold colors are in this season. Brick red, steel blue, and deep plum are the heavy hitters this fall and should be paired accordingly with classic shades of camel, brown, charcoal, and black. For those of you not brave enough to wear a patterned sweater or solid chinos in a bold color, follow the trend by adding a pocket square or polka dot tie in a bright shade. Still too much? Throw on a pair of patterned or striped socks from Richer Poorer and flash some color only when you feel the urge to do so.

Read more from Jerod and then get down to his shop to get your autumn look: Cincinnati Profile 

NEWS ROUND-UP -- WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON 18 APR

by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter 

|   

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

| 

MAYOR ADDS #11 TO HIS 10-POINT ACTION PLAN

During a speech before the Latonia Business Association Wednesday afternoon, Covington Mayor Chuck Scheper freshened up his standard presentation of his 10-point action plan for the city by adding an eleventh point. The addition involves code enforcement and followed visits to approximately thirteen neighborhood associations and civic organization. I pledge to do more than what we've been doing," Scheper said of future efforts to combat blighted and neglected properties. "It's something we hear consistently from the neighborhoods."

|

While most of the mayor's speech followed his familiar script, Wednesday's event at Twin Oaks golf course featured subdued celebration that multiple points on that 10-point plan have received check marks, including new union contracts and the elimination of Covington's 911 emergency dispatch center. "This has to become not just out plan, not the just the plan of a unified commission, but also the plan of the community," he said. "We're going to accomplish a lot before I get out of here as mayor."

|
OTHER NOTES FROM THE LATONIA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION LUNCHEON: 

|

Three candidates in Covington's 2012 elections were present and spoke briefly, including commission challengers Chuck Eilerman and Greg Paeth. Commissioner Steve Casper, who's running for mayor, also spoke. "It's rather daunting to think I'd be following in his shoes," Casper said of Scheper, "but we think alike and I've pledged what we've started this year will continue next year."

|
The new Hometown Urgent Care that just opened on Winston Avenue in a former 5/3 bank location is offering a give-back program for Kenton County Schools students that get their annual physicals there with ten dollars will be given back to the school the students attends.

|

It was a beautiful day at Twin Oaks for the luncheon...

----------------------------------------------------------------

|
COVINGTON TO BROADEN, INCREASE HOUSING PROGRAM IN 2012-13

The popular housing programs offered by the City of Covington that include facade grants and down payment assistance will continue to bolster home ownership in its original targeted areas of the urban core and Latonia, but during the second half of the next fiscal year the program will broaden and be available across the city. 

|

Community Development Director Jackson Kinney said Tuesday night at the City Commission meeting that while federal funding for the program will be less, the grants available to property owners and prospective home buyers would increase. A facade grant in 2011 was worth $2,500 but that amount not only doubles to $5,000 next year, it will also be available to multifamily homes on the condition that the owners match the grant. "In neighborhoods where we're trying to have an impact it doesn't matter if they are rental or owner occupied, they all have an impact on the quality of living," Kinney said. 

|

The federal funding comes through the Department of Housing and Urban Development and two of its programs: HOME and CDBG. In addition to funding the housing programs, funds will go towards commercial rent subsidies, micro loans for small businesses, and and upper floor residential rehab work above retail spaces. Previously those programs were only available to spaces along Short Pike and Madison Avenue but will be expanded to spaces on Scott Boulevard from 8th Street to the river. 

|

Priority 1 indicates where the housing program will be focused during the first six months of the 2012-13 fiscal year while priority 2 shows the other areas where the program will be available in the second half.

|

BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS OF SOME OF THE PROPERTIES THAT BENEFITED FROM THE PROGRAM: 

----------------------------------------------------------------

|

WEDNESDAY MORNING HEADLINES

A Covington swimming pool is to be shut down; New vehicle fees proposed to fund merged dispatch center; Plus, a full report from last night's no-hitter by a Holy Cross pitcher. Those stories and much more at the link!

The RC News: Wednesday Morning Round-Up 

|

NO EARLY RELEASE FOR WOMAN CONVICTED OF COVINGTON MURDER, RAPE

A woman convicted in the 1987 kidnapping, rape, and murder of a woman (a crime that originated in Covington) will not be released early: 

The two-member panel rejected 58-year-old Brenda Humphrey's move for immediate release from prison after a quarter-century, after quizzing her for more than 30 minutes about the death of 36-year-old Debbie Pooley, an Ohio native who lived in Covington at the time. The decision means Humphrey, who was sentenced to life without parole for 25 years, will not be eligible for release until at least 2017.
The board cited the seriousness of the crime as well as Pooley's death as reasons for the decision after the hearing at the Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women in Pewee Valley. 

AP/Brett Barrouquere 
|
FRANKFORT HEADLINES
|
Kentucky jobless rate drops to 8.6% press release
|
House passes roads budget, pill bill WFPL
| 
Law enforcement rally for pill bill Herald-Leader 
|
Attorney General Jack Conway speaks in favor of pill bill:

|
SEE ALSO: Conway warns Kentuckians about phony invoice scam press release
|

With passage of pill bill and roads budget, eyes turn back to Governor Beshear cn|2 

|

TREY GRAYSON SAYS BESHEAR, SENATOR WILLIAMS EMBARRASS KENTUCKY: 

“I’ve heard a lot of folks saying, ‘David Williams has done a lot for the party, he’s done a lot of good things legislatively but it’s time to go,’” Grayson said. He noted that the public doesn’t have control over that — those decisions are made by legislators at the beginning of January in odd-numbered years.
When asked whether both legislative chambers need to pick new leaders, Grayson said, “I think they do.” 

More with video at the link. 
cn|2
| 
SEE ALSO: Democratic Congressional candidate from Grant County, Bill Adkins, takes on the Tea Party and defends Medicare cn|2 
|
QUICKIES
|
Kentucky's community health centers rank near the bottom nationally Herald-Leader
|
Five Guys opening 3 local locations, including Newport-on-the-Levee Business Courier 
|
Global marijuana march in honor of Gatewood Galbraith WFPL
|
High school senior shares story from hospital meeting with UK basketball's Darius Miller Herald-Leader 
|
NKU journalism workshop gives local high school students the informatics experience NKU|
OHIO CITY DEVELOPING AN ARTS DISTRICT
They work in some places, but not everywhere...
IndeOnline 
|
       GOOD LUCK HOLY CROSS BASEBALL!
The Indians take on NewCath tonight in the regional championship of in Class A action with the winner going to the state sectionals. Here's video from last night's no-hitter pitched by a Holy Cross junior: 

|

DON'T FORGET TO SUPPORT 'KEEP COVINGTON BEAUTIFUL' TONIGHT DURING HAPPY HOUR AT THE PIKE STREET LOUNGE!